Recommendations on best way to see Seward, Homer, Kenai area

[TeeBuccs]

Following a nb inside passage cruise, I am looking to do an independent land adventure. The Sapphire Princess arrives in Whittier on Saturday morning and from we have 5 additional days to see the Kenai Pennisula, Seward, Homer, and Anchorage. I would love to hit the Saturday market in Anchorage for at least Sat. or Sunday (possibly use Anchorage as our "hub") and then travel outward.

 

Our primary interests are fishing (salmon or halibut), bear viewing excursions and possibly some glacier, fjords stuff. Is it necessary to have a car or can train and other transportation be utilized easily? It is just two of us so we can travel pretty light (after having learned how not to pack on the last AK cruise!)

 

Anybody who has done a trip like this - I would love to hear from you. Last time we booked a cruise tour but this time I think we can get more bang for our buck by organizing this ourselves.

 

Thanks in advance!

[mytime53]

You really need a car. There are no scheduled bus runs, and the train only goes as far as Seward. The only other mode of transportation would be hitchhiking;) . Remember, distances between places in Alaska are large, and the trip is as important (probably more so) than the destination.

[greatam]

We spend quite a bit of time in Homer every year.

 

If it was my trip, I would take the train/bus, whatever from Whittier to ANC. Go to the market, get a rental car, spend the night. Then decide whether you want to go to Homer first or Seward. If it was me, I would go to Seward, spend a couple of days, then take a leisurely drive to Homer, maybe even spending a night in Soldotna (lots of moose on the back roads around town EVERY morning). Then on to Homer for a couple of days. Back to ANC for your flight home.

 

IMHO, the BEST bear viewing is out of Homer. Lots of Eagles, trippy little town (always has reminded me of 1968 Venice Beach California). Lots of fishing-both halibut and salmon. And depending on time of trip, in Homer, you don't need anything but a rented pole, bait and a fishing license to do some pretty good salmon fishing. The Fishing Hole (Homer Spit). is free. Poles can be rented directly across the street.

[TeeBuccs]

I appreciate the feedback, it is quite helpful. We are looking to sail the first of second week of June so we will be on the land portion of our adventure around mid June 2008. I have time, but I would like to begin cementing plans so I can make reservations as soon as possible. (realizing that may not be until the end of this season.)

 

Any recommended places to stay in either Seward or Homer? DH and I are a little picky (not too much) but not into hostels or shared bathroom kind of places. Would prefer quaint cabins or places where you feel like you are really experiencing the location. I have a feeling I am going to love Homer...I am so excited! Also love the suggestion of Soldotna as I have read about it and wanted to be able to check it out as well.

 

If we were to spend two days in Seward can you catch fjord boats trips around the Sound or other areas as well? Not sure what there is to do in Seward other than the SeaLife Center.

 

Thanks a bunch!

[diverearl]

Any recommended places to stay in either Seward or Homer? DH and I are a little picky (not too much) but not into hostels or shared bathroom kind of places. Would prefer quaint cabins or places where you feel like you are really experiencing the location. I have a feeling I am going to love Homer...I am so excited!

 

We spent a week in Homer last summer and will return this year. Last time we stayed with friends but this time we will have 7 people so we rented a couple of cabins from http://www.alaskaarcticsun.com/ looked at a place www.bayviewalaska.com very nice but not what the doctor ordered this trip.

 

Also the fishing on the spit is great. We did catch and release flounder fishing on the end of the spit by a nice restaurant and it was almost a fish every cast. Try everything in the box and have a great day (the flounder run about 1 - 3 pounds) not like catching big http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2109935610091393226KaehVs Halibut (no giants but at 72 pounds it was my biggest flat fish) (SO FAR) but still a blast. The Salmon were also very cooperative on the spit you just have to talk to a few people and find out the trick to catching them. Don't waist a lot of money on lures or bait until you go down and see EXACTLY how they do it :eek: and this http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2928922900091393226zTewjq is what you can expect to catch.

 

If you get real luck you might see a whale http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2642710980091393226MhKJjM or two while out fishing, does it get any better than that in one week?

[greatam]

Homer lodging:

 

Pricey, but the view is to die for

http://www.landsendlodges.com/

 

My personal favorite when balancing location/value/price. They book up early.

http://www.sealiongallery.com/cove/

 

Nice location, but slightly out of town-view is great

http://alaskaadventurecabins.com/

 

Trippy little place-we stayed in the lighthouse one night-great fun

http://www.lighthousecabins.com/rates.htm

 

And, IMHO, if you want THE BEST bear viewing- Hallo Bay. They also own a B & B in Homer for their bear viewing guests. http://www.hallobay.com/

 

Soldotna:

Our favorite place in Soldotna, although in mid June is PRIME King Salmon season. Pete may require a minimum amount of days. But the fishing will be excellent-right out the back door.

http://www.petesfishing.com/cabins.htm

 

We also stayed here a few years ago. The people were nice, but DH likes Pete's better. But I think it is the fishing, not so much the cabins.

http://alaskafishing-lodge.com/tours.html

 

There is also a Best Western in Soldotna we have stayed at. Just another Best Western, but OK for the night.

 

When you are in Soldotna, check to see if HoboJim is playing at the bar. Alaska legend-great entertainment

http://www.hobojim.com/

 

Enjoy!!!

[Budget Queen]

You definately need a car, and if possible more time. Homer is worth 3 days with your fishing and bear viewing priority, and 2 is worthwhile in Seward. Can do a Kenai fjords boat trip one day, plenty of other activies the other. Allow 4 hours for the drive between the two. Add an overnight in Anchorage with your market interest.

[swdke]

Following a nb inside passage cruise, I am looking to do an independent land adventure. The Sapphire Princess arrives in Whittier on Saturday morning and from we have 5 additional days to see the Kenai Pennisula, Seward, Homer, and Anchorage. I would love to hit the Saturday market in Anchorage for at least Sat. or Sunday (possibly use Anchorage as our "hub") and then travel outward.

 

Our primary interests are fishing (salmon or halibut), bear viewing excursions and possibly some glacier, fjords stuff. Is it necessary to have a car or can train and other transportation be utilized easily? It is just two of us so we can travel pretty light (after having learned how not to pack on the last AK cruise!)

 

Anybody who has done a trip like this - I would love to hear from you. Last time we booked a cruise tour but this time I think we can get more bang for our buck by organizing this ourselves.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

You'll definately need a car. For salmon fishing, I strongly recommend you contact Kenai Cache for all your fishing needs. They are located in Cooper Landing. For bear viewing, I recommend from personal experience Bald Mounatin Air. For lodging in Homer, Ocean House Bed and Breakfast. All these recommendations are from personal experience. When are you traveling? Salmon fishing at certain times are better than at other times. Kenai Cache can fill you in. A guide is recommended. They also offer a bear viewing salmon fishing trip that sounds like fun, but I've not done that trip. Also out of Homer is Sea Kayaking which we plan to try this summer. We going with Seaside Adventure. The Kenai Penninsula is a great area, you'll have a lot of fun.

[TeeBuccs]

I am going to keep researching and check out the links and information provided in more detail.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the great tips! This trip will rock! Keep any good tips coming....

[Texascruisers]

DW and I did a land trip last June to the Kenai. We flew into Anchorage, rented a jeep and drove to Seward for 3 days. Seward is very nice, but the weather was too bad for fishing. We stayed in a little cabin just outside Seward, very nice, but I cant remember the name. Then we went to Kenai and stayed at the Salmon Catcher Lodge. Wow! Very nice small cabin next to one of the main lodges. Super clean and very nice host named Ron. We fished on the Kenai river with our guide named Kyle. We still have salmon in the freezer from that trip. Hardly anybody on the river was catching fish, but we did. I promise you that this is what you are looking for. We are going back maybe this September as we already booked a cruise for our 30th anniversery. Check out the website. Salmoncatcherlodge.com. I hope this helps you in your decision. Happy traveling!

[Texascruisers]

Our cabin in Seward was Box Canyon Cabins, just outside Seward. Again, very nice and clean, the owner is also the fishing guide. Both of the cabins we stayed at had dish TV which was a must for the wife, lol. Soap opera watcher. I promise you that any where you stay, you will love it, it is so beautiful. Have fun.

[Bily]

Hi Texas I think we are on the same sailing 05/20 on the SUN. I see there aren't very many registered yet. Do you think it is too early or maybe they don't know about the CC boards. I just found them myself recently.

[lindalo5032]

Homer lodging:

 

My personal favorite when balancing location/value/price. They book up early.

http://www.sealiongallery.com/cove/

 

We stayed there last summer. Cheaper than Land's End, and comfortable, not fancy. The rooms have a balcony facing the ocean. We saw some sea otters from our balcony the next morning (with our binoculars). Good location, across the street and down a little from the Salty Dog Saloon.

 

When staying in Homer, we had breakfast at the Duncan Diner. The blueberry pancakes are TO DIE FOR!!! :D Made with fresh blueberries--we can't get those where I live.